2024 SMSU Mustangs: Year 3 of Underwood

[MrMustang]

I think what SW is referring to was ultimately the demise of the Sauter regime. The transfer portal creation along with the pandemic is what decimated the program which led to his firing and a multi-year rebuilding process for Underwood. I also think the coordinator roulette did no favors. I'm not talking about GAs, as that's an inevitability of the situation for a smaller school with less resources. But specifically the salaried positions, Sauter had a stretch with almost zero consistency or success. It's hard to recruit. It's hard to retain. This is also around when they put a greater emphasis on recruiting Arizona, California, Nevada.

However, I think you and VF are looking at the bigger picture of the program. I do think there has been a bit of an identity issue through my whole 20 years watching the program. We had something we could point to at QB for a long time, but then it all dissipated. I do think Underwood is trying to instill more of a team-wide identity here, but I think he's finding it to be difficult with the new transfer rules.

Cory went to the MWB and was 8-3 one year. Pretty good. Covid killed his program. QB after Boyer left after 2 weeks (PHoenix kid) because all class was online etc. Lockdowns etc. It was a miserable place.. Minnesota was way more locked down than most places. kids wanted to enjoy life so they left. Can't blame them. Cory was left with a decimated roster an then he was told to recruit 72 kids in one class (we all remember commenting on that). The adinstration and President played along with lockdown and b;amed Cory instead of looking in the mirror.

[MrMustang]

Ironically, the Gores administration was truly awful - yet she also oversaw the period of 2013-2016 where SMSU football was at it's peak.

That's the only defense I have of that situation. I'm just glad the school wasn't turned into a shopping mall.

Football thrived because of the foundation from Danahar.... Connie then failed to keep the funding moving up and we fell way behind. just a complete mess and failure

[MrMustang]

Pretty big game today. It is a big game for the offense and qb situation.

Hochstetter is good. defense is good. need to grind out a win

[SW_Mustang]

Cory went to the MWB and was 8-3 one year. Pretty good. Covid killed his program. QB after Boyer left after 2 weeks (PHoenix kid) because all class was online etc. Lockdowns etc. It was a miserable place.. Minnesota was way more locked down than most places. kids wanted to enjoy life so they left. Can't blame them. Cory was left with a decimated roster an then he was told to recruit 72 kids in one class (we all remember commenting on that). The adinstration and President played along with lockdown and b;amed Cory instead of looking in the mirror.

I've heard it played out differently than that, but it's not worth arguing over - though I will agree the roster he was left with by whatever means was awful. I was at his last game - we just weren't a college football team by any measure.

I also consider 2016 to be a success despite the record. We knocked off our first ranked opponent, then the wheels fell off with injuries.

[SW_Mustang]

I am not sure where you get that Marshall is against education. Pretty new Taj Mahal HS. New elementary school opened last year. Improvements to SMSU is a state funding not local issue. Go look at all the booster clubs for HS sport s and the community sponsors it incredibly well. Tiger Football , Hoops Club, MAYBA (baseball) etc.

We can let opinions be opinions on this one. It's not worth arguing over.

I'll just say I'm glad we moved out of town before it came time for me to start school.

[SW_Mustang]

you are correct on the campous being outdated. every other school has a new bright rec cednter for the general students yet we cant seem tio get one. any sane President should be able to go up to MnSCU and St Paul with pictures and say -- "very other school has one, we should be treated the same"

the dorms havent changed in 40 years - it is a joke -- same concept -- where is our share to remodel these?????

It's lack of alumni and community support. Doesn't help being in the boonies when Mankato and Moorhead have access to their business communities.

If we had people advocating for us, things would be different - people come to SMSU, get their degrees, and leave. Those of us who care can only do so much. Maybe if the Marshall Mafia up at the city council cared about anything other than jacking up everyone's rent we'd have a starting point.

I also get that we're a new school and it takes time to cultivate things.

[SW_Mustang]

Pretty big game today. It is a big game for the offense and qb situation.

Hochstetter is good. defense is good. need to grind out a win

Agreed on Hochstetter but I'm glad I'll be at MSU. This season is one filled with moral victories.

[MrMustang]

I've heard it played out differently than that, but it's not worth arguing over - though I will agree the roster he was left with by whatever means was awful. I was at his last game - we just weren't a college football team by any measure.

I also consider 2016 to be a success despite the record. We knocked off our first ranked opponent, then the wheels fell off with injuries.

you are correct about 2016

there was some succuss there. just not the scholarships to make it last.when you are short on scholarships you can't miss and you also have to get 2-3 diamonds in the rough every year just to be competitive. I would argue they have done ok on the diamonds in the rough thing.

examples of not highly recruited kids who were stars

Bouwman, Hedensten, Stevens, Onte Burns, Nate Hout in recent years just off the top of my head.

there are many over the years.

all I know is the last 2 presidents have been horrendous for football

[MrMustang]

well, Krogman playd ok in his first start. in the fourth quarter when we needed to score, CSP gave nothing deep so we threw short passes. Just not good enough.

we'll see how it goes in Duluth

[BulldogFan]

well, Krogman playd ok in his first start. in the fourth quarter when we needed to score, CSP gave nothing deep so we threw short passes. Just not good enough.

we'll see how it goes in Duluth

Rough one for you guys in Duluth. I dont see where the Mustangs pick up a win this year.

[SW_Mustang]

Rough one for you guys in Duluth. I dont see where the Mustangs pick up a win this year.

NSU is our best bet, but even that seems highly unlikely.

We're headed for the worst year in school history, methinks.

[Stanger86]

NSU is our best bet, but even that seems highly unlikely.

We're headed for the worst year in school history, methinks.

Would be our third winless season in program history

[SW_Mustang]

In my opinion, AD is happy that the students are having a wonderful “student experience”. If that is the case, go d3

Why would we move down a division just because of football? Be serious now.

Our AD used to oversee the WCHA, so I highly doubt that's her opinion. Like I've said - if we can fix the dilapidation that is Marshall, maybe we can recruit some kids to come here. That'll never happen though.

[SW_Mustang]

Would be our third winless season in program history

IMO - looking at those two seasons from the 70s, we were a bit more competitive back then. I guess it's a moot point when there's no W in the column though.

[MrMustang]

Today is a big game. we may get some indication where we are at with the QB position.